POLITASPORTS

The Miami Dolphins are now 0-3 this season. It is a poor mark that reflects directly on Coach McDaniel. But, they beat the Jags. Yes, incredibly Miami beat Jacksonville at home in week one. A Jags team that has yet to win this season (pending tonight’s MNF match up with Bills). The Fins are “oh-fer” being ready to play. Ill prepared. Coach MnM’s chair must be heating up. The defense has been subpar for 3 seasons after being the Dolphin’s greatest asset for multiple years prior. Three defensive coordinator in three seasons. Two of which were hand picked by Coach and yet, none of whom has improved the unit. The Seahawks did what they wanted from their opening drive. Add the lack of defensive ability to an offense that has been stagnant the last seven games. Miami scored 3, 10, 20, 7 (playoff game vs KC), 14, 19, and 22 (Christmas Eve). They are 2-5 in these seven games. The question I have is: Can it get worse? Unfortunately, I believe it can.

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Coaching: (F-); If a team is not ready to play at kickoff, that is on the coach. If a player is not trusted to execute a full playbook, that is on the coach. If a coaching staff is not capable, that is on the coach. If a team lacks discipline, that is on the coach. Much of what is ailing Miami falls at the feet of it’s head coach. In year three this team appears worse than when he took control. I’m not advocating for him to be fired; but, he needs to implement change. He chose to enter this season without a proven back up QB. The MnM playbook appears to have contracted, not expanded this season. With the core of the offense now in it’s third year, why haven’t the schemes become more intricate? His appearance has changed more than his play calling.

Getting the ball at the six yard line and walking away with only three points is a loss. Attempting a 57 yard FG on 4th and less than one is impeachable.

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Running Backs: (F); Achane averaged less than three yards per carry. Ingold fumbled on his lone touch. Wright and Wilson combined for only five carries. Unlike the earlier two weeks Achane didn’t do much in the passing game on Sunday. This was a very forgettable game.

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Receivers: (D); I won’t give this crew an “F” as they were relying on their second and third string QB. Waddle and T. Hill only had five targets each, equal to Achane. Neither of them have had a break out game. Again, why? Is it the simplified playbook? Have defenses completely figured out McDaniel’s offense? Miami will be without Tua for the foreseeable future, they need to figure out how to be effective. Having a back up QB should not be a death sentence.

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Defense: (C); This unit didn’t fail, they just didn’t shine. Seattle is not a high flying offense. The 370 total yards they had on Sunday vs Miami is their highest thus far in 2024. Yes, Miami’s D had forced two turnovers, one giving the offense the ball at their own 6. It would’ve been better if they got the sack safety instead. When they needed a stop, it didn’t come. Seattle scored exactly their average, 24 points. It is deflating giving the offense a six yard field; then watch as they vomit their way to three points. In the end, you still need to play.

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Special Teams: (D); Berrios single-handedly prevented this from being a failing grade. He had two returns, one KO, one punt, that totaled 75 yards. Achane added a 32 yard KO return as well. But Miami gave up a 40 yard KO return to start the game. Follow that with the missed FG and a failure to down a Bailey punt at the one. If Miami had won, this grade would be a “C.”

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Quarterback: (F); I remember Scott Mitchell. He performed well enough as Marino’s backup to get signed as a free agent after the ’93 season. The Eagles won a Super Bowl with Foles as the back up. Tom Brady became, perhaps, the best QB in NFL history. Miami signed Tyler Huntley, Lamar’s back up that went to a Pro-Bowl. A team should be capable of functioning properly when their back up is called upon. Tua has missed time every year. His health has been a concern since he was drafted. His current status IS NOT and acceptable excuse.

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Officials: (F); They missed an obvious horse collar tackle early. After the tackle Miami had 2nd and 1 at the 39. They eventually settled for a horrific 57 yard missed FG. If the refs make the call, it’s first and ten at the twenty-four yard line. That is a major difference. Even if you gain zero yards after, that is a forty one yard game tying kick. That call alone gives this crew a failing grade.

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Overall: (F); The Dolphins next four games are favorable. Home against the Titans, away vs the Pats and Colts, then back home against Arizona. I don’t expect they’ll win them all, but if they aren’t above .500 heading up to Buffalo, the season is over. What does that say for Coach M? The team hasn’t taken obvious steps ahead. The same problems that plagued them year one are still glaring three years in. The organization doesn’t need more turnover; but they need better results. If that requires major personnel changes, make them. If it means front office changes, make them. If you believe it will take coaching changes, then do it. Nothing should be off the table. The Dolphins haven’t won the division in nearly 20 years. Miami hasn’t been to an AFC Title game in 30 years. Hasn’t been to a Super Bowl in 40. Hasn’t won in 50. Not one person in this organization should be content with the product.

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